Grace Jacqueline Ferraris June 3, 1913 - Nov. 18, 2011 Grace J. Ferraris died peacefully at age 98 in her home with loved ones at her bedside. Born in Villa San Giovanni, Reggio Calabria, Italy, to Antonino Versace and Maria Morabito Versace. Grace emigrated to San Francisco with her family in 1922 and lived in the City---in the North Beach and Marina neighborhoods---all her life. She attended grammar school in North Beach and graduated from Commerce High School in December 1932. She began her career in business as a bookkeeper, working for Ayton Certified Public Accountant and later for the Martin Ship Service Co. She married Charles Paul Ferraris in 1937 and was widowed in 1959. She resumed her career, working at Gump's department store as an administrative assistant and later as a bookkeeper/administrative assistant for Crescent Produce Co. in South San Francisco. She retired at age 70. She was good-natured and unassuming her entire lifetime and dealt with hardship with a quiet strength and refined independence. Still she maintained warmth and displayed gratitude to those she knew, and any young child would bring a smile to her face. Grace lived her life in fulfillment of her name. She was devoted to her family--immediate and extended. Grace is survived by son and his wife; daughter and her husband. Her four grandchildren. She also leaves behind sister Natalie Modesti, nephew and two nieces and many grandnieces and grandnephews. Grace was predeceased by sisters Marian Tarantino (brother-in-law Peter); Angelina Versace; Frances Caminetti (brother-in-law John); also brother-in-law Leon Modesti. Her family extends appreciation and gratitude to her devoted caregivers and to the physicians and members of their staffs, who gave heartfelt support, especially in her later years.

Published in San Francisco Chronicle on Dec. 4, 2011